The European Commission has handed down a total fine of A$445 million on three brewers—Heineken, Grolsch and Bavaria. Between 1996 and 1999 four companies (ImBev escaped fines under the EC’s leniency policy) are alleged to have colluded on prices and price increases in the Netherlands. Heineken was fined a record total of A$357 million for its role in the cartel.
European Commission probes iTunes
The EC has opened a competition investigation into Apple’s iTunes and the way it sells music online in coordination with major music companies. The EC alleged that the distribution agreements Apple has signed with the record labels to sell their music on the iTunes online stores in European Union countries ‘contain territorial sales restrictions which violate’ EU competition rules.
Poland
Office of Competition and Consumer Protection has powers strengthened
The Polish Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) has received new powers enabling it to fine companies up to 10 per cent of their annual turnover if they are found to have undermined collective consumer interests. The UOKiK can fine the companies without having to issue a plea to the companies to cease the behaviour as it was previously required to.
United Kingdom
Consumer Credit Act comes into force in the United Kingdom
The Consumer Credit Act 2006 has come into force, giving United Kingdom consumers better protection from unscrupulous lenders and the right to take complaints about lenders to the Financial Ombudsman Service and to challenge unfair credit agreements in court. The new Act is expected to provide more protection for vulnerable consumers and allow easier access to free dispute resolution services.
Office of Fair Trading sparks debate on private actions
The UK’s Office of Fair Trading is consulting on allowing private actions to make it easier for individuals and groups to sue for anti-competitive behaviour. The OFT is attempting to optimise the effectiveness of competition law in the UK, and make redress for consumers and business more accessible.
United States of America
Class action filed against eBay over PayPal
An anti-trust class action lawsuit has been filed in the United States of America against eBay under the Sherman Act alleging that eBay utilises its nationwide monopoly of the online auction market to monopolise the available forms of payment that sellers can use on eBay. The lawsuit alleges that ‘sellers who would otherwise accept only money transfers must also accept payment card transactions'.
